“Cannabis … continues to be a concern” on Sask. roads: RCMP

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Thousands of drivers making their manner alongside Highway #11 final week have been stopped by the Saskatchewan RCMP, as a part of a two-day site visitors security blitz within the village of Chamberlain.

Dozens of RCMP and municipal law enforcement officials from throughout the province descended on the highway-side village for the site visitors cease, and for probably the most half, they despatched drivers on their manner with a stamp of approval.

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Out of greater than 3,500 automobiles stopped and checked for unsafe driving behaviours, drug and alcohol impairment, outdated automobile seats and improper towing setups, solely 130 individuals left with a ticket.

“We know lots of people are on the road this week, travelling for summer vacations and attending seasonal events,” says Supt. Grant St. Germaine, the officer in command of Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services. “We are happy to see everyone making the most of summer. Our job is to help the public get to their destination safely.”

St. Germaine mentioned the outcomes of this security examine present that “most of Saskatchewan residents are getting the message that you can’t drink and drive,” for the reason that RCMP solely had to droop 4 drivers for alcohol use, and difficulty a single ticket for having open liquor in a automobile.

However, he mentioned, “cannabis … continues to be a concern on Saskatchewan roadways.”

During the two-day examine cease in Chamberlain, the RCMP suspended 35 drivers for working a automobile under the influence of cannabis. One driver, who already had a earlier suspension on his document for a similar cause, was suspended from driving for 120 days.

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“Our work in detecting impaired driving continues 365 days a year,” mentioned St. Germaine. “We will continue doing it until everyone understands that you can’t use any kind of intoxicant before getting behind the wheel.”

Under Saskatchewan legislation, it’s unlawful for drivers and passengers to eat hashish in a automobile, and other people caught driving excessive can be fined, have their license suspended and their automobile seized, and be required to full an impaired driving schooling program.

“As drivers … embark on road trips throughout the summer, I urge everyone to drive responsibly: avoid alcohol and cannabis, steer clear of distractions, and exercise extra caution in construction zones,” mentioned Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Paul Merriman. “Together, we can ensure that everyone returns home safely this summer.”

In addition to the 35 cannabis-related suspensions in the course of the security examine, the RCMP additionally suspended two individuals for cocaine use, arrested one one who was discovered to be on an impressive warrant, and charged two individuals with possession of unmarked tobacco.

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